New Kangaroo Walk-About at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo Darling Harbour

WILDLIFE Sydney Zoo has welcomed the arrival of some gorgeous residents to the new Kangaroo Walk-About area. Walk amongst kangaroos and wallabies, see adorable baby emu chicks and you might just see wallaby joeys poking their heads out of the pouch!

You can even pat the kangaroos during feeding times. The babies will grow quickly, so make sure you visit before they grow up before your very eyes! Aquarium Wharf – Darling Harbour 9am-8pm (last entry 7pm) Book now!

Date: Friday 02 November 2012 - Thursday 31 January 2013
Location: 1-5 Wheat Road, Darling Harbour
For more information: http://www.wildlifesydney.com.au or (02) 9333 9288

Meet the Scientist at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium

We had a fabulous night with aquarist Marty Garwood talking SEX, LIES & SQUID - the sexual deception of cephalopods. Thanks to all who attended. The next ‘Meet the Scientist’ event promises to be a cracker!

Bull sharks in the harbour – what are they up to? Dr Amy Smoothey, 14 Nov

 

Dr Amy Smoothey has been leading NSW DPI’s bull shark tagging program in Sydney Harbour and was featured in ABC’s ‘Shark Harbour’ in recent months, along with fellow shark scientist Dr Vic Peddemors.

Come and hear Amy’s experiences of tracking one of the most poorly understood sharks in the world.
As this is our final talk for the year we’ll be celebrating the beginning of the silly season by supplying a beer/wine or bubbly and some nibblies for those who’d like to celebrate with us!

When: Wednesday 14 November
Time: Doors open at 6pm. Talk from 6.30pm – 7.30pm
Where: Reef Theatre, SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium
Cost: $15 including entry to the aquarium and refreshments. All proceeds go to conservation projects.

E.T. Has Landed at Madame Tussauds Sydney

To celebrate the Blu-ray release and the 30th anniversary of Steven Spielberg’s beloved classic film, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, Sydney’s Madame Tussauds today unveiled their astonishing wax figure of the iconic hero.

Whilst Sydney was the first to unveil E.T., The Extra Terrestrial star will also be appearing in Berlin, Amsterdam, London and Hollywood today as part of the global launch.

Helping E.T. into his new home was a troupe of local riders from Sydney BMX Club. Lachlan Stewart (11 years old, from Manly), led the group by taking the place of Elliott (Henry Thomas) in the film, bringing the classic bike scene to life.

From today, guests who visit the exhibit will also have the chance to take Elliott’s place in the scene that saw E.T. and Elliott soaring on a BMX against the stunning backdrop of a full moon. The figure was first perfectly sculpted in clay and then moulded in wax, with a team of expert colourists then using oil paints to perfectly recreate E.T.’s unique complexion. The entire process took around two months and cost £50,000 (over $75,000) to produce.

E.T. fans will also be able to relive many others classic scenes with the first ever release of the film on Blu-ray, featuring never-before-seen footage from the film set including an interview with director Steven Spielberg.

“We are delighted to be welcoming one of the greatest movie characters of all time to the attraction. We’re also absolutely certain that our guests are going to love the unique opportunity to ‘star’ in one of the most famous films ever made,” said Nicky Marsh, Madame Tussauds Global Marketing Director.

In 1982, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial became the biggest blockbuster of the year, debuting at number one around the world. A testament to its enduring appeal, it remains one of the most successful, well-loved films for the past three decades and will continue to inspire generations to come.
E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial will be out for first time on Blu-ray on October 31, 2012.
About Universal Pictures International Entertainment

Universal Pictures International Entertainment (UPIE) is the international home entertainment division of Universal Pictures, headquartered in London and headed by President, Eddie Cunningham. UPIE markets and distributes all Universal new releases, catalogue, special interest and local content titles, as well as some third party product, via direct operations in the UK, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, New Zealand and Japan. UPIE also has distribution partnerships in Australia, Brazil, Mexico, Spain and Russia, and sells and distributes home entertainment product via licensees covering another 55 territories.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

When: From October 22, 2012
Where: Madame Tussauds Sydney, Aquarium Wharf, Darling Harbour (right next door to WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo)

Hours: 9am to 8pm Daily

What: E.T. The Extra Terrestrial – Madame Tussauds and Universal Pictures presents E.T. The Extra Terrestrial Wax Exhibit

Box office: For more info and to purchase tickets please visit:

www.madametussauds.com/sydney

www.facebook.com/madametussaudssydney

UPIE is part of NBCUniversal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Comcast Corporation owns a controlling 51% interest in NBCUniversal, with GE holding a 49% stake.

Three Grey Nurse Sharks re-homed as SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium Completes $10M Overhaul

SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium today completed some of the final stages of its $10M overhaul with its most significant animal operation to date; the re-housing of three of its largest inhabitants – 3.2 metre long, 300 kilogram Grey Nurse Sharks.

The Grey Nurse Sharks were some of the final animals to be rehoused following their removal from SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium’s enormous 1.5 millionlitre tank in order to make way for its $5M renovation. It took a team of 20 dedicated aquarists to meticulously move the animals into their spectacular new dwelling – an impressive, fully refurbished Shark Valley oceanarium.

Sebastian Schmid, Life Sciences Manager at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium commented: “We could not be more thrilled about how smoothly the re-homing operation went and the animals are already settling in famously. The team is exceptionally proud to be sharing this world class aquarium experience with our local and international visitors.”

The momentous, nine month refurbishment involved over 300 individual marine animals from up to 30 species, including Smooth Stingrays, Blacktip Reef Sharks, Lemon Sharks, Wobbegong Sharks, Port Jackson Sharks as well as Loggerhead and Green Turtles.

The animals’ spectacular new home has a glass walkway which literally allows guests to walk above a stunning shoal of over 50 sharks as they swim just inches beneath. It is situated in Shark Valley, an impressive 100 metres of ocean-tunnel walkthrough that delves deep into the underwater world, encouraging visitors to come face-to-fin with these awe-inspiring creatures. Shark Valley is dominated by a giant whale skeleton amongst the tumbled-down ruins of an ancient lost city temple and of sharks and rays gliding amongst the rocks.

Located in the heart of Sydney at Darling Harbour, visitors to the new SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium will be taken on a journey of amazing discovery through 14 newly-themed areas, including the new Shark Walk, Tropical Bay of Rays, Discovery Rockpool, Mangrove Swamps, South Coast Shipwreck, Dugong Island and the stunning new ocean tunnel walk-through, Shark Valley.

For more information on the newly relaunched SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, please visit: www.sydneyaquarium.com.au

Holidaying Families Increasingly Choose Apartment Living

A leading provider of accommodation in Australia says families are finding the convenience of apartment living the best way to stretch their budget and maximize their lifestyle while on holidays.

With 13 properties and more than 1,000 rooms across Australia, Metro Hotels offers both hotel and apartment-style accommodation and has experienced an increase in demand for apartments in its key city locations.


Metro Apartments Darling Harbour is located in walking distance to the many attractions of Sydney’s Darling Harbour precinct as well as close to Monorail and train stations for access to other areas. Metro Apartments on Bank Place is located in the heart of Melbourne’s shopping district.

The two boutique properties offer everything a family wants when holidaying in two of Australia’s most exciting cities – a convenient location with enough space for the family to relax but without the huge price tag of an expensive hotel or resort.


Metro Hotel’s Chief Operating Officer, George Bedwani, said leisure travellers were a strong market for Metro Apartments Darling Harbour and Metro Apartments on Bank Place, with guests citing the convenient location, extra space and facilities as the greatest attractions.


“In Sydney, our guests love the fact they can walk out the door and be in the heart of one of the city’s most attractive and vibrant areas in minutes, yet are only a short walk or train trip from most other attractions,” Mr Bedwani said. “In Melbourne, Bank Place is truly in the heart of the city so people can shop, enjoy a show or just stroll along the Yarra River.

“Yet the real attraction of both these properties for families is when they return to their apartment and can relax and enjoy a home-away-from-home experience. They can prepare a meal or do their own washing without leaving the premises, yet when they depart they don’t have to clean up and change beds like you would in a rental property.



“Australians may aspire to owning a backyard when it comes to our homes but we are increasingly choosing an apartment when it comes to our holidays.”

Australian Bureau of Statistics data found the number of guest nights spent in serviced apartments jumped 73 percent in the past decade to more than two million nights.

Extended Day for Koala Breakfasts

Sydney –15 October, 2012 – With day light saving now in place for the warmer months, WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo has extended Koala Breakfasts to both Saturday and Sunday. So as the warmer weather starts to set in, enjoy WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo’s truly unique dining experience, Breakfast with the Koalas.

With exclusive access to the attraction before the crowds arrive, Breakfast with the Koalas will take place every Saturday and Sunday at 7:15am, granting breakfast guests an exclusive guided tour through WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo when the animals are at their most active.

The limited capacity Breakfast with the Koalas will commence with an exclusive highlights tour guided by WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo’s experienced keepers. On the tour, guests will gain access to WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo’s residents including Rex, our huge Saltwater Crocodile, a range of tropical butterflies, wallabies, and some of Australia’s most unique creepy crawlies.

Following the highlights tour, guests will receive an informative koala talk, a delicious hot buffet breakfast and an interactive experience with WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo’s resident koalas.
Visitors will also be able to take home special memories of their intimate koala encounter in the form of a 6 x 8 photograph, taken by a WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo photographer who will be on-hand to capture the experience as visitors cuddle up to the cute koalas.

About Breakfast with the Koalas:

Where: WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo, Aquarium Wharf, Darling Harbour (next door to SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium)
When: Every Saturday and Sunday 7:15am for a 7:30am start
Bookings recommended: 02 9333 9288 or www.wildlifesydney.com.au

About WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo:

Opening Hours: 9am to 8pm daily (until 6 April 2013)
Cost: Best price tickets guaranteed online at www.wildlifesydney.com.au
Contact: 02 9333 9288 or www.wildlifesydney.com.au
For more information on WILD LIFE Sydney, please visit: www.wildlifesydney.com.au

See Double And Save This School Holidays!

 The school holidays can be a bit of a pinch on the wallet, so this September/October School holidays, come and see any two of our traditional IMAX Documentary films for just one low price!

Each film runs for approximately 45minute and titles include:
Born to be Wild 3D
To the Arctic 3D
The Last Reef 3D
Sea Rex 3D

See any two films for just:
*$20 per child
*$22 per senior/concession/student
*$25 per adult
*$88 per family (2 adults and 2 children)

Make the most out of your family outing! You can purchase tickets to any two documentary films that are programmed at the time of sale. It can be on the same day, or you can spread out your visit across two different days. You can see the films back-to-back or which a break in between, perhaps with lunch by the water or a play at Darling Quarter! Check out the new Darling Quarter playground right behind the IMAX building!

CLICK HERE for a printable version of our session times covering the 20th-26th September.